Light recapturing system and method

ABSTRACT

A system for recapturing light emitted by a light source and converting that light into electrical current which can be used to power the same light source or other devices. An exemplary embodiment may use photovoltaic cells to recapture light from ceiling lights and convert it into a source of power for the ceiling light. Another embodiment may be a tanning bed that recaptures light using photovoltaic cells. Some embodiments may recapture light from multiple lighting fixtures. An exemplary embodiment may include a computer and battery for storing energy produced by the photovoltaic cells. Another exemplary embodiment is a method of recapturing light emitted by a light source and converting the light into energy which can be used to power electrical activities.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims no benefit of priority.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The embodiments disclosed herein relate to a system and method forconserving electrical energy. More particularly, the system and methodprovide the capacity to convert a portion of the radiation emitted froman electrical light source into electrical current which may then berouted via conducting means back into the light source or into anotherelectrical expenditure.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The U.S. national energy economy relies primarily on fossil fuelresources to power and heat our homes and commercially used facilities.According to reports, in 2002 less than 2% of the energy consumed in theUnited States was supplied by renewable energy sources such ashydroelectric, wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass. As non-renewablefossil fuel resources are consumed and depleted it becomes increasinglycritical to manage our nation's energy needs.

A significant percentage of the energy consumed within the United Statesis used to run electrical lighting systems. While these lighting systemsprovide the light necessary for the maintenance of our facilities theyalso allow for energy waste. The typical lighting systems used inAmerica utilize bulbs which expel light in 360 degrees though light isonly needed in the area beneath or in front of the light source.Reflective surfaces have been used to direct most of the expelled lightdownward, but this configuration fails to take advantage of the light asan energy resource.

Photovoltaic cells use semiconductor technology to convert light intoelectric current without utilizing moving parts, burning fuel, orproducing pollution. When light strikes the surface of a photovoltaiccell, electrons are dislodged and this produces a current ofelectricity. Exemplary embodiments disclosed herein provide for anarrangement of photovoltaic cells and an electrical light source, e.g.,a fluorescent light bulb or plurality of said bulbs, in which thephotovoltaic sensors convert radiation emitted from the light sourceinto electrical current, which may then be routed back into the lightsource or to another electrical device via a conducting means.

Photovoltaic cells are commonly used outdoors where they convert thesun's light into electrical energy. Twenty to thirty percent of thesunlight that passes through photovoltaic cells is typically converteddirectly into electricity. The indoor use of photovoltaic cells is lesscommon but known. The known art provides for photovoltaic cells thatutilize electrical light sources to power small indoor appliances, butfails to show how photovoltaic cells may be incorporated into indoorelectric light generating systems as means for reducing the overallenergy consumption of the system.

In brief, an exemplary embodiment may comprise an array of photovoltaicelements as means for converting a portion of the radiation emitted froman electrical light source into electrical current which may then bereintroduced to the system as a means of reducing overall energyconsumption. The photovoltaic elements are aligned with the electricallight source in a manner such that they may absorb a portion of theemitted radiation without interfering with the emitted light'sfunctionality.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention disclosed herein has wideapplications including, but not limited to, reducing the overall energyconsumed by homes and commercial properties by recapturing a portion ofthe energy expelled from indoor electric light sources, converting thatenergy into electrical current, and reintroducing that electricalcurrent into the electric light source or into some other energyexpenditure, such as within the homes and commercial properties.

Further features of the invention will be described or will becomeapparent in the course of the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Novel features and advantages of the present invention, in addition tothose mentioned above, will become apparent to those skilled in the artfrom a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings wherein identical characters refer toidentical parts and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a system forrecapturing light;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a systemfor recapturing light;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a tanning bed using an embodiment of thesystem of the present invention, and

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 a is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a lightsource and photovoltaic cell array of the present invention.

FIG. 7 b is an elevational view of the light source and photovoltaiccell array of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 7 a.

FIG. 8 a is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a lightsource and photovoltaic cell array of the present invention.

FIG. 8 b is a side perspective view of the exemplary embodiment shown inFIG. 8 a.

FIG. 8 c is a perspective view of a house containing the multiple setsof the light source and photovoltaic cell array shown in FIG. 8 a.

FIG. 8 d is an elevational view of the light source and photovoltaiccell array of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 8 a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The recapturing of light, for the purpose of an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention, is defined as the interaction of light with atleast one photovoltaic cell (e.g., a photovoltaic cell array) capable ofconverting a portion of the energy within the light into an electricalcurrent. Similarly, for the purpose of an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention, recaptured light is defined as light which hasinteracted with, for example, such a photovoltaic cell array makingpossible the production of an electrical current.

One exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a system forrecapturing light emitted from a light source and converting the energyinto electrical energy. In another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention recaptured light is converted into electrical energy whichpowers the light source. Another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention is a method for recapturing light emitted from a light sourceand using it to provide power to that same light source.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show an exemplary embodiment of a system of the presentinvention. As shown, an exemplary embodiment may be comprised of a lightsource 10, a photovoltaic cell array 20, and a power source 30. In thissystem, the light source 10 is in electrical communication with thepower source 30. In some embodiments of the present invention where thepower source 30 is not integral with the light source 10, thiselectrical communication may occur through an electrical wire 40 thatconnects the light source 10 to the power source 30. An example of thiswould be a household light which is powered by a home electrical system.In other embodiments of the present invention where the light source 10is in direct contact with the power source 30, such as when a light ispowered by a battery, an electrical wire 40 may not be necessary.

Light source 10 may be any device which is able to expel light. As shownin the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the light source 10 may becomprised of one or more light bulbs. In some embodiments of the presentinvention the light source 10 may be any type of light bulb includinghalogen, fluorescent, incandescent, and neon light bulbs.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the light source 10 may be insufficient proximity to at least one photovoltaic cell (e.g., aphotovoltaic cell array 20). Photovoltaic cell arrays 20 of the typeused in this invention may be purchased from companies such asDMSOLAR.COM of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. or SCADA SOLAR of Albuquerque, N.M.The photovoltaic cell array 20 converts light emitted from the lightsource 10 into electrical current. This conversion may be done by aplurality of photovoltaic cells 22 located within the photovoltaic cellarray 20 that are electrically in communication with each other via awiring member or system 24. Depending on the energy requirements of thesystem, the photovoltaic cells may be wired in parallel or in series.The wiring member or system 24 may also be in electrical communicationwith a conducting member or system 26 that may in turn be in electricalcommunication with the light source 10. When light hits the surface ofthe photovoltaic cell array 20, the photovoltaic cells 22 convert aportion of the energy into an electrical current which is transferred tothe wiring member or system 24 and can then be conducted by theconducting member 26 to the light source 10. As shown in FIG. 1, inthose embodiments where the photovoltaic cell array 20 produces a DC, ordirect current, and the light source 10 runs on an AC, or alternatingcurrent, an inverter 50 may be in electrical communication withconducting member 26. The inverter 50 may convert DC current to ACcurrent, so that the light source 10 can utilize the electrical currentproduced by the photovoltaic cell array 20.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and as shown inFIG. 3, the light source 10 is a ceiling light within a light housing12, and the photovoltaic cell array 20 is a panel sized to fit withinthe back of the light housing 12. In this embodiment the photovoltaiccell array 20 is located between the light source 10 and the ceiling. Inother embodiments of the present invention the photovoltaic cell array20 may not be directly between the light source 10 and the ceiling, butmay be located nearby on the ceiling, wall, or other surface such thatit will not interfere with the functionality of the light source 10, butis still in a position that allows it to recapture light. While in theembodiment shown in FIG. 3 the photovoltaic cell array 20 forms only aportion of the light housing 12, in other embodiments of the presentinvention a photovoltaic cell array 20 may form an entire light housing.In some embodiments of the present invention the photovoltaic cell array20 may have a cylindrical shape like a can and surround the light source10.

In other embodiments of the present invention the light source 10 maynot be a ceiling light, but may be any other type of indoor light orlighting system. An example of such an embodiment is depicted in FIG. 4,where the light source 10 is a bulb within an indoor tanning chamber 14and the photovoltaic cell array 20 is also housed in said tanningchamber 14. In some embodiments of the present invention thephotovoltaic cell array 20 is positioned at distance from the lightsource 10 that is calculated to maximize the amount of light that thephotovoltaic cell array 20 is able to receive, and minimize theinterference with the emitted light traveling in the direction that thelight source 10 is intended to provide light to.

In an exemplary embodiment of the system of the present invention and asshown in FIG. 5, the light source 10 may be a coiled tube (e.g.,fluorescent) into which a photovoltaic cell array 20 having a tubularshape may be inserted. In other embodiments of the present invention,depending on the structure of the light source 10, the photovoltaic cellarray 20 may take on any shape and may be located in any position thatcan recapture light preferably without substantially interfering withthe functionality of the light.

In an exemplary embodiment of the system of the present invention, andas shown in FIG. 2, a portion of the energy that is received by thephotovoltaic cell array 20 is converted by the photovoltaic cells 22into an electrical current that may be used to power a light source 10via the conducting member or system 26. In an exemplary embodiment thelight source 10 that receives energy from the photovoltaic cell array 20may be an electrical light source 10 and the same light source 10 thatprovides light to the photovoltaic cell array 20. In other embodimentsof the present invention a photovoltaic cell array 20 may receive lightfrom multiple light sources, electrical or not, and may provide power tomultiple electrical light sources.

In some embodiments the amount of energy that is recaptured by thephotovoltaic cell array 20 may be only a small fraction of the amount ofenergy needed to power a light source 20. For this reason the lightsource 10 in an exemplary system of the present invention may beconfigured to receive power from both the photovoltaic cell array 20 anda power source 30.

Some embodiments of the present invention may utilize a computer 70 incommunication with the power source 30, and a battery 60 electricallyconnected to the light source 10 and photovoltaic cell array 20.Depending on the amount of power provided by the power source 30, or byany other parameter determined by a user, a computer 70 may be used toregulate the diversion of energy generated by the photovoltaic cellarray 20 to a battery 60 for storage. The computer 70 may thereforeregulate the amount of energy created by the photovoltaic cells 20 thatis given to the light source 10 and the amount that is sent to thebattery 60. In a similar fashion, the computer 70 may also dictate whenthe battery 60 supplies energy to the light source 10. For example, in asituation where the power source 30 fails or is shut off, the battery 60may then provide energy to the light source 10. In some embodiments ofthe present invention that include a computer 70 and battery 60, thebattery 60 may be electrically connected to appliances 80 or outlets 90so that it may provide energy to those appliances 80 or outlets 90 whenthe power source 30 fails. In some embodiments of the present inventionthe computer 70 and battery 60 may be located in the basement 120 of ahouse 100. However, in other embodiments they may be located in otherparts of a house 100 or other building that utilizes an exemplary systemof the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment of the system of the presentinvention that includes a battery 60 for storing energy produced by thephotovoltaic cell array 20. In this embodiment, the photovoltaic cellarray 20 is shaped like a can that encircles the light source 10. Alsoshown in FIG. 6 is that the battery 60 may be used to power outlets 90in a house 100.

FIG. 7 a is an exemplary embodiment of the system of the presentinvention where the light source 10 is a standard light bulb that iscontrolled by a light switch 110. FIG. 7 b shows an elevational view ofthe light source and photovoltaic cell array in FIG. 7 a.

FIG. 8 a is an exemplary embodiment of the light source 10 andphotovoltaic cell array 20 of the present invention. FIG. 8 b shows aside view of the light source 10 and photovoltaic cell array 20. FIG. 8c shows a house 100 that contains multiple light sources andphotovoltaic cell arrays. As shown, a battery 60 and computer 70 iscontained in the basement 120 of the house 100. While this exemplaryembodiment shows the battery 60 and computer 70 together, in otherembodiments of the present invention they may be separate, and locatedin different places throughout a house 100 or structure. FIG. 8 c alsoshows that appliances 80 and outlets 90 in the house 100 may be poweredby an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 d is anelevational view of the light source 10 and photovoltaic cell array 20of FIG. 8 a.

Any embodiment of the present invention may include any of the optionalor preferred features of the other embodiments of the present invention.The exemplary embodiments herein disclosed are not intended to beexhaustive or to unnecessarily limit the scope of the invention. Theexemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain theprinciples of the present invention so that others skilled in the artmay practice the invention. Having shown and described exemplaryembodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art willrealize that many variations and modifications may be made to affect thedescribed invention. Many of those variations and modifications willprovide the same result and fall within the spirit of the claimedinvention. It is the intention, therefore, to limit the invention onlyas indicated by the scope of the claims.

1. A system for recapturing a portion of the light produced by a lightsource, comprising: a power source; a light source in electricalcommunication with said power source, said electrical light sourceadapted to emit light; a photovoltaic cell array comprising a pluralityof photovoltaic cells, said photovoltaic cell array adapted to convertlight into an electrical current, and a conducting member capable ofconducting the electrical current from the photovoltaic cell array tosaid light source, wherein the overall energy used by the electricallight source from the power source is reduced.
 2. The light recapturingsystem of claim 1 wherein said light source is a fluorescent light bulb.3. The light recapturing system of claim 1 wherein said photovoltaiccell array forms a portion of a housing for said light source.
 4. Thelight recapturing system of claim 1 wherein said photovoltaic cell arrayforms a housing for said light source in its entirety.
 5. The lightrecapturing system of claim 1 wherein said photovoltaic cell array ispositioned to receive light from said light source and one or moreadditional light sources.
 6. The light recapturing system of claim 1further comprising: a computer in communication with said power source,and a battery electrically connected to said photovoltaic cell array,wherein said computer is able to dictate the transport of electricalcurrent produced b y said photovoltaic cell array to said battery forenergy storage.
 7. The light recapturing system of claim 6 wherein saidlight source, said photovoltaic cell array, and said conducting memberare in association with a tanning bed.
 8. The light recapturing systemof claim 1 wherein: said light source is a coiled tube, and saidphotovoltaic cell array is of a tubular form that is capable of beinglocated within said coiled tube.
 9. A system for recapturing lightexpelled from a light source, comprising: a power source; an electricallight source in electrical communication with said power source, saidelectrical light source adapted to project light in a first directionwhere the light is needed and a second direction where the light is notneeded; a photovoltaic cell array that is strategically positioned withrespect to said electrical light source so as not to interfere withprojection of light in said first direction while simultaneouslycapturing light from said light source cast in said second direction;and a conducting member capable of conducting electrical current fromsaid photovoltaic cell array.
 10. The light recapturing system of claim9 wherein: said electrical light source is a fluorescent light bulb. 11.The light recapturing system of claim 9 wherein: said photovoltaic cellarray forms a portion of a housing for said electrical light source. 12.The light recapturing system of claim 9 wherein: said photovoltaic cellarray forms an entire housing for said electrical light source in itsentirety.
 13. The light recapturing system of claim 9 wherein: saidphotovoltaic cell array is positioned to receive light from theelectrical light source and one or more additional light source.
 14. Thelight recapturing system of claim 9 further comprising: a computer incommunication with said photovoltaic cell array; a battery electricallyconnected to said photovoltaic cell array, wherein said computer is ableto dictate the transport of electrical current produced by saidphotovoltaic cell array to said battery for energy storage.
 15. Thelight recapturing system of claim 14 wherein: said electrical lightsource, said photovoltaic cell array, and said conducting member are inassociation with a tanning bed.
 16. The light recapturing system ofclaim 9 wherein: said electrical light source is a coiled tube; and saidphotovoltaic cell array is of a tubular form that is capable of beinglocated within said coiled tube.
 17. A method for recapturing a portionof the light expelled from an electrical light source, comprising:introducing at least one electrical light source to an electricalcurrent produced by a power source; exposing at least one photovoltaiccell to light, and electrically connecting the at least one photovoltaiccell to said at least one electrical light source so that electricalcurrent produced by the photovoltaic cell may be utilized by the atleast one electrical light source or another energy expenditure.
 18. Themethod of claim 17, further comprising the step of: placing said atleast one photovoltaic cell in sufficient proximity to said at least oneelectrical light source such that it may be exposed to the lightproduced by said at least one electrical light source.
 19. The method ofclaim 17, further comprising the step of: housing said at least oneelectrical light source in a structure that is at least partiallycomprised of said at least one photovoltaic cell.
 20. The method ofclaim 17, further comprising the step of: housing said at least oneelectrical light source in a structure that is entirely comprised of aphotovoltaic cell array comprising said at least one photovoltaic cell.